President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace productivity and unity to place the country on equal footing with other nations.
In his Independence Day address on Wednesday, Tinubu said the country must focus on producing and processing goods rather than relying heavily on imports.
“Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” he said, while encouraging state governments to actively support national development.
Tinubu acknowledged that recent government reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, have worsened inflation and increased the cost of living. He, however, defended the measures as necessary to prevent economic collapse.
“I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern. However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option,” he said.
The President noted that early signs of macroeconomic stability indicate the sacrifices are beginning to yield results. He stressed that true success would be measured not just in statistics but in the availability of food, quality education, reliable electricity, and safer communities.
He assured citizens that resources saved from reforms would be directed toward critical sectors, while local government autonomy and state-level initiatives were already showing positive developments.
Marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Tinubu described the occasion as a “call to action” and promised that his administration would continue addressing economic challenges.
“Let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he said.
Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. The anniversary is marked nationwide with official ceremonies, speeches, parades, cultural displays, and community events.